January 2005

VOL. 15 NO. 6

On January 20, 2005, a general membership meeting was held at Valley High School. The purpose of the meeting was to provide administrators an opportunity to make recommendations for changing or modifying the compensable factors in the school based and non-school based classification and reclassification systems.

Input collected at this meeting will be shared with the CCASAPE Representative Council and with the CCASAPE Negotiations Committee. A final decision will then be made regarding recommendations which will be discussed in negotiations with the District. Negotiations with the District will begin after February 1, 2005, but will not be completed until after the 2005 legislative session concludes in June.

The Representative Council will take a very comprehensive approach in considering all recommendations received for changing and improving the current process. If you were unable to attend the January 20 input meeting and would like to make recommendations for changes to the compensable factors, please forward your written recommendations to the CCASAPE office.

Administrators are reminded that the administrative classification and reclassification system is a dynamic process that will continue to be subject to regular review. The process currently in place will continue to be modified over time, with final changes and revisions to the system occurring only through the negotiations process between CCASAPE and the District.

Gretchen Crehan, principal of Foothill High School, serves as the chairperson for the Scholarship Committee. Also serving on the committee are CCASAPE members Richard Arguello, SNVTC principal, and Liz Fraser, principal at Durango High School.

Active and retired administrators are reminded that when they turn 65 and have Medicare Parts A and B that they are immediately eligible for the CCASAPE Medicare Health Insurance Plan, now referred to as the Classic Retiree Plan. This plan is essentially the same insurance plan that is provided to all administrators and retirees with a significantly reduced premium and a number of enhanced benefits. Interested administrators and retirees may contact the CCASAPE office for additional information. Enrollment in the CCASAPE Classic Retiree Plan can be completed by visiting the District benefits office. It is not necessary to contact personnel at Sierra Health. If you have questions regarding the CCASAPE Classic Retiree Health Benefits Plan, please contact the CCASAPE office at 796-9602.

Please be reminded that any administrator planning to retire on or before June 30, 2005, (will not begin employment in the 2005-2006 school year) must schedule a meeting with the CCASAPE staff and complete the form to participate in the retiree unused sick leave payout, retiree health insurance payout, and retiree life insurance / retiree long term care programs. THE FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND FILED WITH THE CCASAPE OFFICE PRIOR TO MAY 1, 2005, IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JUNE 2005 PAYOUT. Please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 if you have any questions.

Also, as a reminder, any retiring administrator who is 55 or older or who will turn 55 in the calendar year of his/her retirement will automatically have the final vacation payoff deposited to the 401(a) qualified tax deferred plan at Bencor, Inc. Participating administrators will avoid the payment of Medicare tax and will postpone and possibly reduce the payment of federal income tax.

CCASAPE has joined with staff at AIG-VALIC to schedule quarterly administrator information meetings regarding the 401(a) Plan, related investment options, and other qualified tax plans. Mr. Paul Larson in the local AIG VALIC office will be assisting administrators with various investment options associated with the 401(a) Plan. Two information meetings have been held thus far this school year. The next quarterly meeting is scheduled for March 9, 2005, at 3:45 p.m. at the CCASAPE office. Please mark your calendars now! Since space is limited, please call the CCASAPE office to reserve your seat for this important meeting.

If you have questions regarding the scheduled meeting or any aspect of the 401(a) Plan, please do not hesitate to contact the CCASAPE office or Paul Larson at VALIC, 796-0047.

With the middle school basketball season underway, middle level administrators are reminded that Article 15-6-5 and 15-6-6 in the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees outlines the granting of administrative compensatory time for the supervision of middle school home and away basketball games.

Supervisors shall offer administrative compensatory time for the following:

On January 13, 2005, the CCASAPE Representative Council held its regular monthly meeting. The major items discussed and/or actions taken during the meeting included the following:

1. The revenue, expenditures, and balances within the CCASAPE Association and Trust Fund Accounts were reviewed;

2. A review of the status of:

A. CCASAPE Retreat - The retreat will be held in Mesquite on February 10 and 11. An overview of retreat activities and the tentative agenda was outlined;

B. CCSD Employee Investigations – Over the past two months, CCASAPE has expressed many concerns to the superintendent regarding the manner in which the District conducts employee investigations and the level of attorney influence in decision making affecting administrators. An overview of the discussion held during a January 5, 2005, meeting with Mr. Garcia, Dr. Orci, and Mr. Hoffman was provided. At this meeting, Mr. Garcia again reiterated that attorneys are in an advisory capacity only;

C. Unused Sick Leave / Retiree Medical Assistance Payouts - Payouts were mailed to retirees on January 5, 2005, totaling $118,590.00. The Representative Council authorized two additional payouts totaling $900.00 which are included in the $118,590.00. This represents the largest payout to date. An actuarial review will soon be completed to ensure that USL and Retiree Medical accounts can continue to meet the payout requirements of both current and future retired administrators; and

D. Secondary Activity Stipend for Rural School Principals – Agreement has been reached with the District to provide the secondary activity stipend to the rural high school principals for the additional time required to travel to the various athletic events of their schools. Rural schools include Boulder City, Laughlin, Indian Springs, Mesquite and Moapa Valley;

3. New Business:

A. Administrative Reclassification – A general input meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2005, at 5:00 p.m. at Valley High School. The purpose of the meeting is to record input regarding requested changes in the compensable factors for school and non-school based administrators;

B. CCASAPE Dues / Lobbyist Expenses - Stephen reviewed the CCASAPE accountant's opinion regarding the tax deductible status of that portion of membership dues which directly supports lobbyist activities. This information will be outlined in the January Unifier;

C. CCASAPE / CCSD Negotiations – The Representative Council was provided with a copy of the letter sent to the District requesting that negotiations be reopened for the 2005-2007 school years. Proposals for negotiations will be presented for approval at the February retreat;

D. Legislative Plans – The first meeting of the CCASAPE Legislative Committee will be held on Wednesday, January 26, at the CCASAPE office. Over 1000 bill drafts have been submitted thus far of which 133 are being tracked by CCASAPE. Additionally, on January 27, CCASAPE President, Joe Murphy, CCASAPE staff, Allin Chandler and Stephen Augspurger, lobbyists Frank Brusa and Lonnie Shields, and NASA representatives will meet with Governor Guinn in Carson City to review topics of interest and concern to administrators;

E. Long Term Disability Contract – The current LTD contract with UNUM expires on February 1, 2005. Six different proposals have been received from various LTD vendors. Authorization was provided to finalize a new three-year agreement with Standard Insurance for Long Term Disability. The agreement with Standard will result in a slightly reduced premium and two enhancements to the current coverage with UNUM. Changes will be communicated to the membership upon finalization of the new contract;

F. iNVEST Proposal – Concern was expressed regarding the iNVEST proposal to seek legislation to protect a 5% ending fund balance. With the current District budget in excess of $1.5 billion, a protected ending fund balance of approximately $75 million is inconsistent with the District goal of providing appropriate salary increases to its employees; and

G. July Compensatory Time for 11-Month Principals – Mr. Garcia, Dr. Rulffes and Dr. Orci have authorized three days of compensatory time for 11-month principals for the time required to complete additional administrative responsibilities which occur during July. Exact language will be finalized during negotiations, but agreement has been reached between CCASAPE and the District that this additional compensatory time will become effective July 1, 2005;

4. Committee Reports:

A. CCAESP – Marilyn Miks, CCAESP President, provided an overview of discussions recently held with Dr. Orci;

B. CCASSP – Beth Howe, CCASSP President, reported on CCASSP efforts in seeking reclassification input and in providing support to NASA for conference planning; and

C. Legal Committee – Cathy Conger, committee chairperson, reported there was no Legal Committee activity;

5. Executive Director’s Report – Stephen provided a review of the accountant report, the membership report, and the various CCASAPE activities and types of assistance provided to CCASAPE members.